Re: A Random Freezing/Rebooting Mystery


"Dudeman" <Dudeman.32jaqn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:Dudeman.32jaqn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I recently began building a new computer. Specs being.
2.2ghz Intel Core 2
2gb of DDR2 800mhz
Raedon HD2600pro
small 160gb harddrive SATA
18x dvd/cd burner SATA
500w psu(came with the case)

As the story goes, I built this computer and all is good and well.
Problems showed when I began the installation of the OS(Windows vista
ultimate 64bit). During the installation the computer would seemingly
randomly reboot or freeze. After about 3 or 4 attempts at installing
the OS it finally succeeded. Although the OS was finally installed the
issues were still present. The computer randomly restarts or freezes. It
will freeze or restart particularly when I'm installing something or
when I'm playing a game. Although I've also come upon the computer
frozen in the screen saver (mystify). It even rebooted as I was
attempting to write this the first time. The things I did to attempt to
fix the issue are as follows.

First thing I did to attempt to fix this problem was to swap the
motherboard (with the same model) that didn't fix the issue. Next I
swapped the processor and the ram. I was pretty sure that wasn't the
issue but I did it anyway and that didn't fix anything. Next I put in a
known working Power supply. It's one that comes from a computer without
freezing/rebooting issues. It was 450w from another computer in the
house. That didn't fix the issue

The computer does have an issue where it "hesitates" to power up. It's
hard to describe but it turns on for a second and turns off, like a car
that's having trouble starting. It won't do that all the time but it
will do it most of the time but once it's on it'll stay on. It won't
randomly shut down completely. Putting the 450w psu made the
"hesitation" issue even worse. I'm not sure that has anything to do with
the freezing/rebooting but that's also an issue. It's hard for me to
think that 500w is not enough for computer that doesn't have all that
much. So I'm pretty sure that's not the problem but it could be. I
don't know all that much about computer power consumption.

I'm completely stumped on this random freezing/rebooting issue. I don't
mind the occasional freeze but this is frequent. Could it be a software
issue? Possibly a driver issue? I have no idea. If anyone has any ideas
I would appreciate it immensely. If anyone has any questions to clarify
anything ask away.

500W, or even 450W should be enough for your build. The problem is, you can't trust listed ratings on MOST power supplies. A good quality 350W power supply will have more power than a cheapie 500W power supply will.

All power supplies that come with cases are junk. No exceptions that I've ever seen. I'd strongly advise you to throw away that 500W power supply. You don't say what make/model the 450W power supply is, but ...

Your listed symptoms exactly match JUNK power supply (and/or under-powered power supply). Another computer being OK with the 450W power supply suggests that the 450W power supply is probably working OK, but it could still be under-powered for your new build! Think about towing a loaded eighteen-wheeler with a Corolla. (If it can't be done, that doesn't mean that the Corolla is bad.)

As someone else mentioned, bad RAM could also cause your symptoms. Keep in mind that your *video card* has RAM on it.
Your suspects, in order of likelihood from greatest to least:
1) Under-powered power supply (98%)
2) Bad Video Card, or bad RAM on video card (1.9%)
3) Bad RAM. (highly unlikely, as you've already tried that)

There is also the possibility (though slim) that you've got a compatibility issue between your motherboard and RAM, between your motherboard and video card, or even between your motherboard and CPU. In other words, all individual components might be good, just not with each other. But you'd have to do some serious research to find out if that is a possibility.

I'd suggest that (after verifying all individual components are supposed to play nice with all other components) you try a new power supply. That is the most likely suspect, and you should be using a good quality name-brand power supply anyway. So the current power supply is a problem, even if it's NOT currently causing your symptoms. That's why I think it would be smartest to start with the power supply.

Try one of the following, if it is compatible with your motherboard and video card (check!) -Dave

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194003







.

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